If we’ve learned anything from watching the progress of evolution in the natural world, it’s that everything, no matter how established, is a prototype for a more highly adapted successor. That isn’t meant to be a life-or-death warning of doom; it’s meant to say that prototyping is part of the natural order of exploring, evaluating and optimizing ideas.

Nick Kokonas, co-owner of The Alinea Group, joins Justin Daab to discuss using emotional requirements as the foundation for designing an experience, the narrative structure of a great dining experience, crying babies, service chihuahuas and more.